English Midfielder Hailed 'Better Than Lionel Messi' After First Senior Hat-Trick

An 18-year-old English midfielder was dubbed "better than Lionel Messi" after registering his first senior hat-trick.

Derby County midfield star Louie Sibley is now generating buzz around EFL after taking over the match against Millwall. Sibley led the Rams to a thrilling 3-2 win with a record-setting hat-trick.

Following the performance, Sibley received overwhelming praise from fans, and Football League World even noted that the midfielder is now being hailed as “better than Lionel Messi.”

Sibley and the Rams came into the match against Millwall thinking they really needed to win if they want to have chance of finishing the season inside the play-off places. Though Derby managed to beat Millwall, it didn’t come easy as they were even a goal down in the first 15 minutes of the match.

Phillip Cocu’s side was able to make a huge comeback by relying on the individual brilliance of Sibley.

Coming off a long period of break due to the pandemic but also a 3-0 win against Blackburn Rovers, Sibley once again didn’t fail Cocu and took over the game by performing some classy touches throughout the opening exchanges. The attacking midfielder then worked his way into the penalty area with some exceptional footwork before lashing the ball into the top corner to tie the game in the 26th minute.

In the second period, the 18-year-old finally put Derby in front with 19 minutes remaining, finishing a slick goal after Waghorn picked him out. Sibley called it a game by pulling off his first ever senior hat trick as the game ticked into stoppage time.

The hat-trick now puts Sibley in the record books, tying Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar as the youngest players to complete a first senior hat trick at age 18.

Playing in his best form, many Derby County supporters have been speculating that Sibley has the ability to help the Rams jump into a top six finish in the remaining matches.

Much like Messi, Sibley is also fearless and incredibly talented. In fact, he is now one of the most talked-about teenagers in England.

Speaking on Quest's Championship highlights show (via Derby Telegraph), former England striker Dean Ashton emphasized, "It wasn’t just his goals, which he took brilliantly, it was his all-round play.It was that willingness to go and run beyond the striker which is so important as a striker to have midfield players go past you, and what a great start to his career.”